Vermicelli in Oriental Soup

I can suggest an Italian version of an Oriental soup with vermicelli. Here’s how you can prepare it:

Ingredients

• 200 g of rice vermicelli
• 1 liter of chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 chicken breast or 200 g of shrimp (depending on your preference)
• 2 carrots
• 1 red pepper
• 100 g of champignon or shiitake mushrooms
• 1 green onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• A piece of fresh ginger
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh coriander (optional)
• Lime or lemon juice

Preparation

1. Start by soaking the rice vermicelli in hot water for about 10 minutes, then drain them and set them aside.
2. Meanwhile, slice the chicken breast into strips or clean and peel the shrimp. Julienne the carrots and red pepper, slice the mushrooms, mince the garlic and green onion, and grate the ginger.
3. Bring the broth to a boil in a large pot. Add the carrots, red pepper, mushrooms, garlic, green onion, and ginger. Let simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Add the chicken or shrimp to the broth and cook until they are ready.
5. Add the rice vermicelli and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Season the soup with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to your taste.
7. Serve the soup hot with a bit of lime or lemon juice and, if you like, some chopped fresh coriander on top.

Curiosity

Oriental cuisine often uses the same basic ingredients for various soups, but what distinguishes them are the spices and aromatic herbs that vary based on the country of origin. For example, in a Vietnamese soup like Pho, star anise and cinnamon would be used, while in a Thai soup like Tom Yum, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves would be used. The version I have given you is a simple one that you can customize to your taste!